Water quality and management

Water quality and management includes any aspect of water resource management that relates to restoring, maintaining or improving the quality of water.

Healthy rivers are vital for biodiversity and to human health and well-being. Rivers provide habitats for wildlife, protect against flooding and provide places for recreation. Freshwater species are also relevant to biodiversity recovery and preservation.

In its 25 Year Environment Plan (25 YEP) 2018, the government promised to secure clean and plentiful water by ‘improving at least three quarters of our waters to be close to their natural state as soon as is practicable. This promise was continued in the 2023 Environmental Improvement Plan.

Regulators

The Environment Agency (EA) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) are primarily responsible for maintaining and improving the quality of fresh, marine, surface and underground waters in England and Wales.

The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) regulates and monitors the quality of drinking water in England and Wales. Drinking water quality standards in England and Wales are governed by the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016,

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